Colonial Theatre
95 Main Street,
Keene,
NH
03431
95 Main Street,
Keene,
NH
03431
3 people
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The Colonial Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Latchis
Architects: Steven Wesley Haynes, Harold Mason
Functions: Concerts, Movies, Stage Shows
Styles: Colonial Revival
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
603.352.2033
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Sep 15, 2014 — More than just movies at the Colonial
- Feb 17, 2012 — Old movie theaters find new life
- Oct 2, 2011 — The Colonial Theatre presents its sixth Spooktacular
- Jun 21, 2010 — 35mm "Son of Godzilla" Screening at the Fourth Colonial Theatre SPOOKTACULAR - 7/31/10
- Mar 9, 2009 — 35mm Screening of "King Kong vs. Godzilla" at the Colonial Theatre Spooktacular
- Sep 12, 2008 — Dr. Phibes rises once again at the Colonial Theatre Spooktacular
The Colonial Theatre is the last of the area’s historic theaters. Opened in 1924, the Colonial was a stop on the vaudeville circuit for over twenty years. In 1945, the theater switched to a film-only schedule and continued showing films for the next forty years under the control of the Latchis Theatres chain.
In 1984, the building was purchased for $100,000 from the Latchis family. The new owners intended to just show films, but later decided to include concerts and stage shows. They installed a new orchestra section, which reduced seating capacity to 886 seats. In 1994, long-needed renovation efforts were begun.
Today, the Colonial is still open and raising money to continue these renovations, and the future looks bright.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
There is a Scenic Theatre, 106 Main Street, Keene, NH listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1941 and 1943 (800 seats) and in the 1950 edition seating is given as 657.
From the Historical Society of Cheshire Contry website:
“Charles C. Baldwin opened his Colonial Theatre on January 29, 1924, and celebrated the event by entertaining 6,000 people free in the new facility. The new theater caught on as a popular meeting place, as the Woman’s Club held their Washington’s Birthday celebration there in February.”
The Colonial Theatre is not Art Deco, it’s colonial revival.
The Colonial will be screening a 35mm print of THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES on October 30, 2008 as “The Colonial Theatre Spooktacular”:
http://thecolonial.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=150335
Here are links to several new photos of the Colonial taken on October 13, 2008 on a recent trip to Keene. Here’s the front Marquee View link Here’s the nameplate at the top of the building View link Here’s a pic of a truck loading/unloading stuff at the backstage loading dock View link And here’s a pic of the back showing the upgraded heating/AC system View link
Nice photos of the Colonial.
Thanks Chuck,more great pictures.
The Colonial will once again be presenting a Spooktacular on Sunday, October 30th at 3pm, with a 35mm screening of FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN.
I went to this theater around fall 1980 with my girlfriend Margaret while visiting the college in Keene.
I seem to remember the seats were wooden – no padding. And it was chilly. Glad to see it is still open and apparently thriving.
The Theatre Historical Society archive has the MGM Theatre Report for the Colonial, it’s Card # 490. Address is Main St. There is an exterior photo taken Feb. 1941. Condition is Good. The report says it opened about 1925, and is showing MGM films. There were 750 orchestra seats and 250 balcony seats.